Saint Paul Real Estate Blog 
Minnesota Foreclosure Snapshot
Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 8:36pm. 167 Views, 0 Comments.
The Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area ranks as one of the most active in the nation in the number of delinquent or at-risk home mortgages. It is also one of the areas with among the most mortgages modified under the Obama Administration’s Homes Affordable Modification Program. 11,627 Twin Cities Metro area mortgages have been modified under the program through November, making it the 13th most active metropolitan area. Minnesota, as a whole, ranks 18th among the states, with 14,154 loans modified, or about 2% of the total. That bodes well for the area, as it will hopefully prevent more homes from going into foreclosure.
Nationwide, about 1.7 million homeowners were on the verge of foreclosure in the fall. Those homes will be put up for sale in the…
Happy New Year's Eve, Twin Cities!
Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 6:11pm. 180 Views, 1 Comments.
It is December 31, 2009, meaning that at midnight we celebrate the start of a new year, January 1, 2010. In fact, we'll start an entirely new decade! Have you picked out your New Year's resolutions yet?
It has been a crazy year in Minnesota, as well as the rest of the United States. A new president. A financial meltdown. A mortgage, real estate, and foreclosure crisis. Don't even get me started on Brett Favre, Al Franken vs. Norm Coleman, or the Christmas storm. And that is just this year! You can reminisce about the Aughts in Minnesota if you take a look at this Minneapolis Star Tribune Decade in Review.
If you still haven't decided what you want to do, check out the selection of events happening tonight in the Twin Cities from vita.mn. Just make sure of…
Holiday Flower Show in St. Paul's Como Park
Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 11:36am. 172 Views, 0 Comments.
About 60,000 people will visit the Holiday Flower Show in St. Paul's Como Park. The show, which runs through January 18, 2010, at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, "brings a wash of indoor color to contrast with the outdoor snowscape," which as you know is particularly snowy right now. Of course, the poinsettia is the star of the show and it comes in more colors than you could imagine, like peppermint twist, cinnamon stick, and even eggnog.
Located right in our backyard, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a gem of the Midwest even if you might not realize it. Not many cities have been able to maintain buildings such as this. Despite several calamities in its 95-year history, it has survived. It is a rare cultural attraction that draws crowds even in…
Minnesota: 2010 U.S. Census More Important Than Ever
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 10:59pm. 260 Views, 0 Comments.
Though the state gained 35,000 residents last year, bringing its population of 5.2 million, Minnesota is on the cusp of losing one of its congressional seats.
State demographer Tom Gillaspy projected Wednesday that Minnesota could fall just 1,100 people short of what it needs to keep all eight of its seats. A thorough census count next year could be enough to change that. Minnesota last lost a congressional seat after the 1960 census.
Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau showed Minnesota growing more slowly than some western and southern states. Minnesota is among 10 or 11 states likely to lose congressional seats after the census. The demographers analysis puts the state in a dead heat with Missouri, California and Texas for the final seat in the…
Relic of Saint Paul's First Mass-Transit System Found
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 8:15pm. 2499 Views, 0 Comments.
Crews digging under Fourth Street in downtown St. Paul for the proposed Central Corridor light-rail line unearthed a piece of its 1800s predecessor, the cable car. Officials have decided to preserve the U-shaped "iron yoke" and upon completion of the 11-mile Central Corridor, display it at the proposed Union Depot station in St. Paul.
Unlike electric streetcars or modern light rail, cable cars had no internal power supply. Their systems consisted of narrow-gauge tracks split by an open groove. Under the groove, a single continuous cable ran the entire length of the line, constantly in motion. Cable car operators controlled a device that grabbed the cable, which pulled the car along. The iron yokes sat U-side-up a few inches beneath grade, protecting the…
Twin Cities Charities Kick It Up a Notch
Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 9:58pm. 321 Views, 1 Comments.
As mentioned earlier in this blog, Twin Cities charities have been working hard this holiday season. They've been putting in overtime, really, to try and accommodate the increased food, gift, and financial need.
Despite all the extra work, most charities are reporting a decrease in donations. From the Salvation Army to Toys for Tots, donations are down due to the recession. Though there are some bright spots, like “Operation Christmas Child” just broke a record for packaging 110,000 shoe boxes filled with small gifts, most charities have not been as lucky.
In difficult times, more people lean toward strategic giving. That is, they give money to the places they feel will utilize it most efficiently, as opposed to the more emotional style of donation. That…
City of Saint Paul Supported Building Projects Green Up
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 8:15pm. 191 Views, 0 Comments.
The St. Paul City Council has adopted a resolution that requires any new building project that uses $200,000 worth of city or Housing and Redevelopment incentives to follow sustainability guidelines. Builders would have the opportunity to choose from several types of environmentally-friendly standards with the goal of reducing costs, increasing energy efficiency and cutting carbon emissions.
Among the requirements:
• Three-quarters of solid waste from construction and demolition must be recycled.• Landscaping must use 50% less water than traditional developments.
• Energy use information must be recorded and submitted to the state.
A group comprising representatives from businesses, government, nonprofits and other stakeholders spent the past two years…
Minnesota Housing Fix-Up Fund Offers More
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 10:07pm. 648 Views, 1 Comments.
With the help of federal stimulus funds, Minnesota Housing is offering rebates to homeowners that make energy saving updates in when they make home improvements using loans through the state's Fix-up Fund. Homeowners may receive an Energy Saver Rebate for 35% of the cost of eligible improvements financed with the Fix-up Fund loan, up to $10,000.
The Fix-Up Fund offers affordable, fixed-rate loans to eligible homeowners to make home improvements. The rebate program is designed to help homeowners with household income up to $96,500 improve home energy efficiency. Owner-occupied single family, condominium, duplex, triplex, or fourplex homes are eligible for the program.
Homeowners may be eligible for rebates by installing select energy-efficient furnaces,…
Mortenson Construction to Lead St. Paul Union Depot Renovation
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 10:00pm. 242 Views, 1 Comments.
The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority has picked Mortenson Construction to lead the $150 million renovation of the historic Union Depot in downtown St. Paul. The county's goal has been to restore the depot into a regional transportation hub for trains, buses, bikes and taxis.
The block-long building faces 4th Street and sits between Wacouta and Sibley Streets. County officials estimate the project will bring up to 1,350 jobs during design and construction. Construction is expected to be completed in 2012.
Rail Authority commissioners have also approved giving the Metropolitan Council up to $82,000 for a study of how three additional stations along University Avenue, at Hamline, Victoria and Western Avenues, would affect the areas when the Central…
2010 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Countdown
Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 10:46pm. 682 Views, 1 Comments.
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is starting to drum up support for its 2010 festival!
For $124, you can "own" a piece of the "Coolest Celebration on Earth." For the third year, Saint Paul Winter Carnival officials are selling stock in a block of ice to help support the festival's signature ice carving contest.
Each block is $124 in honor of the carnival's 124th year. "Stock Holders" get an official certificate of ownership. The first 124 to purchase stock will also have the chance to march in the Grande Day Parade on Saturday, January 23.
Those interested can buy the ice online at www.winter-carnival.com or call 651-223-4700.
Additionally, Winter Carnival dignitaries have unveiled the Saint Paul festival's 2010 button designs.
The buttons depict a bearded…
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